Liturgy Pacific is the on-line presence of Richard Geoffrey Leggett, Rector of Saint Faith's Anglican Church in Vancouver and Professor Emeritus of Liturgical Studies at Vancouver School of Theology. Here you will find sermons, comments on current Anglican and Lutheran affairs and reflections on the need for progressive orthodox Christians to re-claim our place on the theological stage.

Saturday, August 12, 2017

A Thought from a Small Boat in the Midst of a Stormy Sea: Reflections on Matthew 14.22-33

Dear Friends,

I offer no sermon text today only this thought already posted on my Facebook page.

But you can listen to my sermon as preached at the 10.00 Eucharist on Sunday the 13th
by clicking here.

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As I ponder events occurring not just south of the Canadian border but all over the world, I think that our planet is in the grip of a theology of scarcity. In a climate of scarcity we fall prey to fear and to greed. Whether it's access to goods and services or perceived loss of prestige and privilege or whatever form scarcity takes, self-interest overcomes our commitment to the common good.In moments such as these it is incumbent upon leaders to appeal to 'the better angels of our nature'. Our shared global crisis is a dearth of political, social and cultural leaders who are both appealing to and embodying these better angels.I ask all my friends, whether 'conservative' or 'liberal', 'traditional' or 'progressive', of your charity to join me in both prayer and witness to a theology of abundance that generates hope and generosity.No doubt some may think this a naive request on my part. But witnessing to hope and generosity is costly and requires speaking truth to power, confronting evil no matter who perpetrates it, choosing self-giving rather than self-interest.We are all sailing on turbulent waters and Jesus bids us leave the safety of our boats to walk on the waves with him. We have had, have and will have moments of doubt but these moments will pass if we hold firm to our hope that God is working the divine purposes and embrace a generosity of goods and spirit that embodies God's generosity to us.For the earth shall be filled with the glory of God as surely as the waters cover the seas.

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About Me

Richard is a presbyter of the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster with a number of responsibilities. He is Rector of Saint Faith's Anglican Church in Vancouver. Richard is also the Principal Consultant for Liturgy Pacific, a worship consultancy providing educational seminars and resources for congregational life and ministry. After 23 years as a member of the faculty of Vancouver School of Theology, Dr Leggett became Professor Emeritus of Liturgical Studies in 2010. Since 1989 Dr Leggett has served on various national committees of the Anglican and Evangelical Lutheran churches in Canada and is a regular participant in the work of the International Anglican Liturgical Consultation. From 2010 to 2016 he was a Member of the Liturgy Task Force of the Anglican Church of Canada.